Are travel agents worth the bother?

[MelUser]

For me it's the little things that agents can do that you can't do yourself:

eg: - quickly grab the last 2 available seats in the fare class for the flight you want and hold them (for free).

- ring Qantas and get them to release to more "S" class economy seats I can upgrade to business but spend as little as possible on the ticket price.

- give me numerous options to choose from when I get into conflict with Fare rules

- know who to call to get some info

I think if you find a good agent they are worth their wait in gold.

Obviously it's different if you only fly once every 5 years and want the absolute cheapest deal but if you squeeze your agent they won't enjoy working for you.

I work with numerous clients myself and I actually prefer working for the ones who don't try and squeeze down the fee/go through the bill with a fine tooth comb and pick everything to bits!

 

[Nigelinoz]

Apologies for goin slightly O/T but apparently qantas have already decided that from their point of view travel agents are not worth the bother.
Qantas Executive General Manager,John Borghetti last week said that travel agents should reinvent their business for 2009 and should look for business models less reliant on airline commision as a way to remain profitable.
According to a contact in the industry the comments have severely angered several agencies .
One agency apparently said that they had done just that several years ago by not selling Qantas in favour of airlines with better schedules and who pay better commision!.
Interesting question,who needs the other more?